the gilded age

This is 60

~ MaryG ~ 14 Comments

I got all the way dressed up for a very elegant Boston wedding and had a wonderful time.

My tan is real (from outdoor swimming) and my hair is its natural color. I’ve never done Botox or had any cosmetic surgery (not that I’m ruling it out). But, in the spirit of the many women sharing “This is 60” pics on social media, I decided to share a few here on my blog.

This is 60, with a fun “up do” by a local stylist who took me at the last minute when the humidity reached about 85%.

I’m lucky that the grey is pretty much just around my temples now. Embracing truly grey hair is going to be a challenge.
I was even feeling good about taking pics with much younger, gorgeous women.
I’m fully indulging my “Gilded Age” fantasies here. (Is anyone else watching that series on Max?) Now, if John Singer Sargent could just come back to life and paint my portrait, my fantasy would be complete.

Related post:

Next size up, please

Swimming pools, movie stars

~ MaryG ~ 4 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What does your ideal home look like?
View all responses

GenXers will recognize “swimming pools, movie stars” as the last line of the theme song from the Beverly Hillbillies, a TV show that was popular when we were young children. Basically, some poor people find oil on their property in Appalachia, get rich, and move to “Cally-phonia” in a dilapidated truck. It was pretty dumb. The theme song was definitely the best part of the show.

From the Beverly Hillbillies to Downton Abby to the Kardashians, I’ll admit to being fascinated by the lifestyles of the very wealthy, particularly their homes. Honestly, most of them do not look that comfortable. They’re too big. Everything is so spread out. Kim Kardashian is basically living in the Louvre. She has to walk miles just to get to the back of her own closet.

BUT, it would really be cool to have a big swimming pool and a view. Those are the two features I would have, if money were no object.

Here are a few photos from a visit to Newport, Rhode Island in July. We toured Marble House, one of the Gilded Age mansions. And yes, of course I watched “The Gilded Age” on HBO and am eagerly awaiting Season 2 starting on October 29. My husband likes to count the number of times the word “luncheon” is said per episode.

Marble House (Newport) – one of the filming locations for Julian Fellows’ The Gilded Age
Marble House dining room – the very definition of “gilded”
Lest you think Mrs. Vanderbilt and her friends didn’t discuss serious things at their luncheons, here are her Women’s Suffrage dishes.